A-State Soccer Opens SBC Play on the Road

2016-09-16T05:35:35Z

Sports - ASU Red Wolves (White)

JONESBORO, Ark. (9/15/16) – The Arkansas State women’s soccer team will take to the road for its opening weekend of Sun Belt Conference play with a road matchup against Coastal Carolina Friday, Sept. 16, followed by a tilt at Troy on Sunday, Sept. 18.

The meeting between the Red Wolves and Chanticleers is the first in the history of the two programs and will mark the first time that A-State has traveled to the state of South Carolina to take on an opponent in women’s soccer. Meanwhile, the matchup against the Trojans will be the 11th meeting in the series history with A-State capturing four victories in the series.

Arkansas State (2-2-2) closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 3-2 victory over Mississippi Valley State at home. The three goals were the largest offensive output of the season for the Red Wolves and also saw the emergence of sophomore midfielder Taylor Schneider.Schneider scored a goal in the Red Wolves’ exhibition match in early August, but had been quiet in terms of goal scoring until Sunday when she connected on a header from Tayler Carter for her first goal of the season. The Ballwin, Mo., native also had an assist earlier in the match and is now tied for second on the team with three points on the year.

Annica Karlsson also scored in the match against the Lady Devilettes, giving her two goals on the year, while Arianna Delli Carpini connected on a penalty kick as well for the first of A-State’s three goals on the day.Coastal Carolina finished its non-conference portion of its schedule with a 3-3-1 overall that included victories over Winthrop, Wofford and Jacksonville and a tie with Wake Forest. The Chanticleers went 12-7-1 in 2015 while competing in the Big South and like the Red Wolves have had a women’s soccer program since the 2000 season.

Troy stands at 4-4-1 on the year and has tested itself early thus far in the season with tough matchups against Ole Miss, Mercer and No. 1 Florida State. Against Mercer, the Trojans battled to a scoreless draw, while a goal 52 seconds into overtime was the only shot that found the back of the net in the loss to Florida State.

A-State and Coastal Carolina will kick things at 5 p.m. (CT) Friday evening, while Sunday’s match is slated for a 1 p.m. start.